2022 Positive Start: Somebody’s Land Book Review

This is a wonderful children’s book, for most students in primary – from kindergarten to Grade 6! Teachers should be able to meet different literacy, history and geography outcomes, that are appropriate for their students’ learning needs...

Having just been through Australia Day last week, 26 January, this book uses wonderful, detailed illustrations and repeated text themes to encourage ALL Australians to walk together through history and into our futures!

Somebody's Land is written collaboratively by two authors, Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, with David Hardy, a truly skilful illustrator, published by Allen & Unwin. Starting their book with their own children in mind, they are inviting us all to “walk together” from their hearts and the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart!

Here’s a YouTube link to the authors chatting about their book, which would be great for students to watch, across grades, and for thinking about reading, writing and our Indigenous History. Adam talks about how this book can start conversations so we can all learn together!

I really think this should be part of every classroom library, across Australia and beyond! This book is available for $15 from many places, including Target, Kmart and Big W. Check it out and let me know what you think? I’d be very happy to support teachers to use this in line with a range of curriculum outcomes, across grades!

Image Acknowledgement: Sydney Swans Book Launch image